The NBA rumors have continued to pick up steam as the offseason winds down. Teams are finalizing their rosters and putting the final touches on what they hope to be a successful 2026-27 season. These three trades put some of the league’s best remaining trade candidates into perfect team fits.
PJ Washington should be very available as the Dallas Mavericks have continued to load up on forwards, most recently adding former first-overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.
Washington has been a serviceable starter his entire career, proving to be one of the better shooting PFs in the league. Last season saw his percentages dip, but he is still a 35% career 3pt shooter.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a major void at the starting PF position after trading away both Julius Randle and Naz Reid.
Minnesota is currently expected to slide Ayo Dosunmu to SF and Jaden McDaniels to PF. This lineup would work out and be a great defensive nucleus behind LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards.
The issue comes when looking past the starting lineup. The only forwards off the bench are 6’5 Jaylen Clark, who plays more as a SG/SF hybrid, and Enrique Freeman, who played just four games for Minnesota last season.
Washington would solve shooting concerns from the frontcourt and also address the issue with depth at the position for Minnesota.
The Detroit Pistons still haven’t made that big addition, and at this point it may not come at all. It’s really difficult to see the number one seed fail to improve after such a promising season.
DeMar DeRozan has been linked to Detroit recently. He would cost just a minimum contract and allow them to pursue another offensive weapon.
This is where Michael Porter Jr. enters the conversation. A secondary scorer who would thrive next to Cade Cunningham. He could also be a reliable player to have the ball in his hands and take pressure off of Cunningham.
Porter Jr. had been a 40% three-point shooter his entire career before taking on a larger volume of shots last season with the Brooklyn Nets. Still, he shot nearly 37% from beyond the arc even with an increase in opportunities.
The Pistons adding potentially two scorers like Porter Jr and DeRozan would sure up their wing depth and give them so many more opportunities to push for the top of the Eastern Conference.
It may seem crazy to say, but they might NEED to make a move for at least one of these guys.
Herb Jones to the Lakers might be the best fit amongst any potential trade candidates and teams. It would be completely seamless as he joins a lineup of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler.
The defense would be the obvious concern of their current backcourt. The Lakers don’t need another high-volume scorer; they need a guy who’s going to shut down the perimeter.
They improved the interior defense by adding Kessler, helping out the frontcourt that way. Now, they need that point-of-attack defender to put on the opposing team’s number one guy. Right now, Quentin Grimes would likely see this matchup. He isn’t a poor defender, but Jones is on a different level.
Jones would be the guy they can put on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant, or any other threat in the Western Conference.
For Lakers fans curious about the Bronny James situation, check out our breakdown of the three possible scenarios
Lakers potential starting lineup with Herb Jones
The NBA offseason has been filled with superstar trades and shocking moves. That isn’t always the recipe for championships for teams that just need one more piece. These are the moves that make real winners. Filling in whatever gap they may have with a player that fits perfectly is the way to go. The Lakers, Timberwolves, and Pistons all should consider these trades and moves.
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